Guidance to help schools protect their pupils from discrimination and to promote equality have been published. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has issued its Schools Technical Guidance, outlining the requirements that schools must meet under the Equality Act 2010.
The guidance, which has been published for Scotland and England, explains how “those working in schools can create an environment where pupils of all backgrounds and abilities are able to learn and progress”. Guidance for Wales was published last year.
It covers aspects of school life including admissions, education provision, extra-curricular activities, after-school and homework clubs, sports activities and school trips, as well as access to school facilities such as libraries and IT facilities. A statement said: “While this guidance is not a statutory Code of Practice, it can be used as evidence in legal proceedings and provides an authoritative, comprehensive and technical guide to the detail of the law.”
It is part of the Commission’s on-going work to develop a range of guidance materials on rights, responsibilities and good practice under the Equality Act 2010.